U.S. patent number 5,078,283 [Application Number 07/563,108] was granted by the patent office on 1992-01-07 for customer convenience center.
Invention is credited to Jewell E. Wilson.
United States Patent |
5,078,283 |
Wilson |
January 7, 1992 |
Customer convenience center
Abstract
A customer convenience center, or merchandise display stand, for
use principally in convenience stores, the stand having a metal
base frame on legs or casters or a combination thereof, perforated
hardboard panels resting on the frame, said panels retained in
place by metal uprights, and said uprights retained in place by a
top frame enclosing the uprights. A planar top covers the top
frame. Shelf bracket standards may be attached to the perforated
hardboard panels as desired for support of shelf brackets and
shelves.
Inventors: |
Wilson; Jewell E. (Yakima,
WA) |
Family
ID: |
24249152 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/563,108 |
Filed: |
August 6, 1990 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/187; 160/135;
211/189 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F
5/101 (20130101); A47B 57/46 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47F
5/10 (20060101); A47B 57/46 (20060101); A47B
57/00 (20060101); A47F 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;211/189,187 ;160/135
;40/124,125 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gibson, Jr.; Robert W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cashman; George A.
Claims
I claim:
1. A merchandise display stand comprising:
a base frame formed of horizontally disposed members joined at
their ends to form a polygon;
a plurality of rectangular planar backboards supported by the
members of the base frame, the number of backboards being equal to
the number of members forming the polygon of the base frame, and
each such backboard having a horizontal lower edge, a horizontal
upper edge, and vertical side edges, and the upper and lower edges
of each backboard being of equal length and being slightly shorter
in length than the base frame member on which it is supported;
a plurality of upright members, the number of upright members being
equal to the number of members forming the polygon of the base
frame, each upright member having a lower end and an upper end,
each upright member being supported at its lower end by the base
frame within an interior angle of the base frame, and said upright
members providing a positioning and retaining means for the side
edges of the backboards;
a means on the base frame to support the lower edges of the
backboards;
a means on the base frame for supporting the lower ends of the
upright members; and
a top frame formed of horizontally disposed members joined at their
ends to form a polygon of the same shape as the base frame, said
top frame resting on the upper ends of the upright members and
enclosing said upper ends of the upright members in a retaining
relationship.
2. The merchandise display stand of claim 1 wherein the base frame
comprises a plurality of members manufactured of rectangular
tubing.
3. The merchandise display stand of claim 1 wherein the means on
the base frame to support the lower edges of the backboards
comprises a plurality of clips extending upwardly and spaced apart
from, the inner side of each horizontal member, each of said clips
comprising an L-shaped member with the lower leg of the L-shaped
member secured to the underside of a given horizontal member of the
base frame, and with the vertical leg of the L-shaped member
parallel to and spaced apart from the inner side of a horizontal
member a sufficient distance to receive a hardboard panel within
the space, with the lower edge of the panel resting on the lower
lag of the clip.
4. The merchandise display stand of claim 1 wherein the means for
supporting the lower ends of the upright members comprises a
triangular gusset underlying each corner of the base frame, and
with the web of the gusset extending inwardly from the corner a
sufficient distance to support the lower ends of the upright
members.
5. The merchandise display stand of claim 1 wherein the upright
members comprise narrow strips of sheet metal bent along their
longitudinal centerlines to form an angle no greater than the
particular interior angle of the base frame within which the
upright member is resting.
6. The merchandise display stand of claim 4 wherein the positioning
and retaining means for the side edges of the backboards
comprises:
each of the side edges of adjacent backboards being beveled at an
angle to its planar surface of approximately one-half the interior
angle of the base frame within which each said side edge rests;
the beveled side edges of adjacent backboards being in substantial
contact with each other; and
said side edges of adjacent backboards being placed within the
angle formed within the upright member at the interior angle of the
base frame at which the upright member is placed.
7. The merchandise display stand of claim 6 wherein the top frame
comprises angle-iron members attached to each other at their ends
and formed into a polygon of the same shape as the base frame, the
polygon so formed being of a sufficient size to enclose tightly the
upper ends of the upright members when the top frame is placed on
said upper ends with the flat side of the top frame upwards.
8. The merchandise display stand of claim 6 wherein the backboards
have a plurality of equally spaced perforations in equally spaced
vertical and horizontal rows, and all perforations being of uniform
size.
9. The merchandise display stand of claim 8 further comprising a
plurality of shelf bracket standards symmetrically mounted on each
backboard in a vertical orientation.
10. The merchandise display stand of claim 4 further comprising a
plurality of legs supporting the base frame above the floor, said
legs being straight members of equal length attached to the gussets
and extending vertically downward therefrom.
11. The merchandise display stand of claim 4 further comprising a
plurality of wheeled casters attached to the gussets and extending
downward therefrom.
12. The merchandise display stand of claim 4 further comprising a
wheeled caster attached to and extending downward from each gusset
but one, and a straight leg extending downward from the remaining
gusset for the same distance as the bottoms of the caster wheels
extend below the gussets.
13. The merchandise display stand of claim 7 further comprising a
storage unit comprising:
a polygonal storage frame of a shape similar to the top frame and
slightly smaller in outside dimension than the inner edges of the
top frame so as to fit within the top frame;
a straight leg extending downward from each corner of the storage
frame, each such leg being approximately half the length of any of
the uprights, and said legs resting upon the gussets when the
storage frame is lowered into the interior of the merchandise
display stand; and
a planar member having the same shape in outline as the polygon of
storage frame, and being of the same size as the polygon forming
the storage frame, said planar member resting atop the storage
frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Convenience stores usually offer a comparatively large variety of
goods, but have a limited amount of floor space on which to install
display shelving. Customarily, in such stores, there is open space
between the purchase counter and the conventional straight-row
shelving. Operators of convenience stores have the objective of
displaying the maximum amount of goods in these open spaces, using
a minimum amount of floor area. At the same time, it is recognized
that merchandise comes in different physical sizes, with many
different forms of packaging, some suitable for shelf display, and
some suitable for suspending from a hook or bracket. In addition,
merchandise storage space is at a premium in such stores.
It is an object of this invention to provide a customer convenience
center, or display fixture, that occupies a relatively small amount
of floor area, and yet will permit the display of a relatively
large amount of goods of different sizes, and having different
forms of packaging.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a display
fixture that may be assembled and disassembled by unskilled
personnel without the use of tools.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a display
fixture that can be moved easily from one location in the store to
another.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a fixture
having interior space for storage of replacement display goods.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a basic design
that can be manufactured in different shapes to accommodate varying
store open space layouts.
2. Description of the Related Art
The inventor's search failed to uncover merchandise display stands
that appeared to be in any way similar to this invention. There are
numerous movable partitions and sign displays, the patents for
which are included in this application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The merchandise display stand of this invention is formed of an
assembly having a metal tube base frame in the form of a polygon. A
small triangular gusset plate is welded across each interior angle
of the polygon on the under side thereof. The frame is supported
off the floor by straight legs, or a combination of legs and
casters, one at each angle of the polygon. Sheet metal angles are
placed upright in each angle of the polygon, resting on the gusset
plates. Rectangular hardboard sheets with beveled sides are placed
on clips which extend inward from the base frame, and with the
beveled sides of the hardboard sheets within the sheet metal
uprights. The top of the assembly is held together with an
angle-iron top frame, the interior of which faces downward. The
sides of the top frame enclose the upper ends of the uprights and
the top edges of the hardboard sheets. A flat top may be rested on
the top frame with its edges extending outward beyond the top
frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG.1 is a perspective view of the base frame of a triangular
display stand, with uprights in position for insertion therein.
FIG.2 is a perspective view of the display stand of FIG. 1,
partially asembled, with the top frame in position for placement on
the uprights.
FIG.3 is a perspective view of the display stand of FIG.2, with
shelving installed thereon, and with the top cover and one shelf
ready for installation.
FIG.4 is a perspective view of the display stand of FIG.3
completely assembled.
FIG.5 illustrates the two pieces required to provide storage space
within the display stand of FIG.4.
FIG.6 illustrates, in an enlarged scale, the cross-section of an
upright suitable for use with the display stand of FIG.7.
FIG.7 illustrates an assembled display stand having the outline of
a pentagon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
This specification will refer principally to FIGS.1-5 which
disclose a display stand having the shape, in plan, of an
equilateral triangle. It will be understood that this invention may
be manufactured also in the form of a rectangle, or a pentagon as
illustrated in FIG.6, or in the form of a polygon with any desired
number of sides, without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
Referring particularly to FIG.1, there is disclosed a base frame 10
for display stand 5 (which is illustrated completely assembled in
FIG.4). Base frame 10 comprises sides 11, 12 and 13, which,
preferably, are manufactured of rectangular metal tubing.
Triangular gussets 14, 15 and 16 are welded across the interior
angles of base frame 10 at the lower side of base frame 10. Clips
17 are welded to base frame 10 and extend interiorly thereof, with
the sides 18 of clips 17 spaced apart from base frame 10 a
sufficient distance to receive a hardboard panel, which will be
described below. Casters 19 and 20 are attached to gussets 14 and
15 respectively. Straight leg 21 extends downward from gusset 15 a
sufficient distance so that base frame 10 is level with respect to
the floor on which display stand 5 rests. Display stand 5 may, of
course, be provided with straight legs 21 at each corner, or
casters 19 at each corner, or any desired combination thereof.
Upright 22 has a lower end 23 and an upper end 24. Upright 25 hasd
a lower end 26 and an upper end 27. Upright 28 has a lower end 29
and an upper end 30. Each upright is formed of a sheet metal strip
folded along its longitudinal centerline to an angle no greater
than the interior angle of the base frame within which the upright
is placed. For example, with the display stand 5, the upright would
be folded to form an interior angle of not more than 60 degrees,
and preferably to an angle of slightly less than 60 degrees--57
degrees, for example --for a purpose which will be disclosed below.
In FIG.1, upright 22 is illustrated with its lower end 23 directly
above gusset 14, as it would be positioned prior to assembly. Lower
end 26 of upright 25 is positioned above gusset 15, and lower end
29 of upright 28 is positioned above gusset 16.
Referring now to FIG.2, it can be seen that uprights 22, 25 and 28
have been rested upon gussets 14, 15 and 16 respectively.
Perforated hardboard panel 31 has been placed on clips 17 which
extend inwardly from side 11 of base frame 10. The upright sides of
panel 31 have been placed within the angles of uprights 22 and 25.
Perforated hardboard panel 32 has been placed on clips 17 which
extend inwardly from side 12 of base frame 10. The upright sides of
panel 32 have been placed within the angles of uprights 22 and 28.
Perforated hardboard panel 33 has been placed on clips 17 which
extend inwardly from side 13 of base frame 10. The upright sides of
panel 33 have been placed within the angles of uprights 25 and 28.
The sides of panels 31, 32 and 33 are beveled at equal angles as
shown at 34 to provide a snug fit within the uprights. The purpose
of forming uprights 22, 25 and 28 with an angle sightly smaller
than the interior angle of the base frame 10 is to provide a tight
fit for the upright sides of the panels which would be placed
within the uprights 22, 25 and 28. Shelf bracket standards 35, 36
and 37 are attached symmetrically to panel 32 by means of bolts 38.
Similarly, shelf bracket standards (not shown) are attached to
panels 31 and 33. Top frame 40 comprises sides 41, 42 and 43. The
length of sides 41, 42 and 43 of top frame 40 is such that when top
frame 40 is placed on the assembly illustrated in FIG.2, top frame
40 will tightly enclose upper ends 24, 27 and 30 of uprights 22, 25
and 28 respectively. Short studs 44 extend upward from
approximately the midpoint of sides 41, 42 and 43 of top frame
40.
Referring now to FIG.3, brackets 45 may be seen extending outwardly
from shelf bracket standards. Brackets 45 and standards 35, 36 and
37 are commercially available hardware items in which the brackets
may be attached to the standards at any desired height along the
standard. A shelf 46 is shown as it appears before being assembled
to display stand 5. All shelves 46 are identical, and are provided
with angled end portions 47. The angle between the angled end
portion 47 and the back edge 48 of the shelf is 180 degrees minus
one-half the interior angle of the base frame or top frame. Each
shelf 46 is provided with an end portion 49 approximately
perpendicular to back edge 48, and with an angled end portion 50
which forms an angle of approximately 135 degrees with the front
edge 51 of shelf 46. Notches 52 are provided in back edge 48 to
accommodate standards 35, 36 and 37, for example, so that back edge
48 of shelf 46 will fit snugly against panel 32, for example. The
shelves 46 may be of any convenient depth, and may be provided with
a front lip. In the preferred embodiment, the shelves 46 are
manufactured of vinyl-covered particle board. Top cover 53 has the
shape of an equilateral triangle and is larger in plan area than
top frame 40. Top cover 53 is provided with recesses (not shown) in
its lower surface which cooperate with studs 44 projecting upward
from top frame 40. The purpose of studs 44 is to prevent top cover
53 from shifting if pushed accidentally.
FIG.4 illustrates the completely assembled merchandise display
stand 5. In FIG.4 a shelf 46 has been omitted to provide more panel
space for displaying the kinds of merchandise packages which are
suspended from a hook (not shown) or a bracket (not shown)
cooperating with perforations in the panel. It may be seen that the
number of shelves may be changed, and the height of shelves may be
varied, to accommodate merchandise of varying sizes and methods of
packaging.
A means to provide storage space within display stand 5 is
illustrated in FIG.5. Angle-iron storage frame 60 includes sides
61, 62 and 63 which are joined to form a triangle of such size that
the storage frame 60, when held approximately horizontally, will
fit within top frame 40. Angle-iron legs 64, 65 and 66 extend
downwardly from the corners of storage frame 60. With cover 53
removed, storage frame 60 is placed within display stand 5 with
legs 64, 65 and 66 directed downwardly. Storage frame 60 is lowered
until the lower ends 67, 68 and 69 of legs 64, 65 and 66 are
resting on gussets 14, 15 and 16 respectively. Storage floor 70,
which has the same or slightly smaller dimensions as the triangle
formed by sides 61, 62 and 63 of storage frame 60, is then placed
on top of storage frame 60. Replacement merchandise items may then
be stored within the display stand.
As an illustration of the versatility of this invention, a
pentagonal display stand 6 is illustrated in FIG.6. The pentagonal
display stand 6 utilizes the same principles of construction as
disclosed for the triangular display stand described earlier in
this specification, and illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. Referring
specifically to FIG.6, the display stand 6 comprises pentagonal
base frame 71 supported on casters 72. Metal uprights 73, the
cross-section aspect of which are illustrated in FIG.7, rest on
gussets (not shown) attached to base frame 71. Perforated hardboard
panels 74 have their vertical sides 75 enclosed within the folds of
uprights 73. Top frame 76 rests on uprights 73 and encloses
uprights 73 in a retaining relationship, thereby keeping panels 74
in the proper orientation. Studs 77 extend upward from the
approximate midpoints of each member 78 of top frame 76. Studs 77
serve to locate top cover 82 and keep top cover 82 in position when
it is placed on top frame 76. Shelf bracket standards 79 are bolted
to panels 74 as illustrated in order to support shelf brackets 80.
Shelves 81 are supported by shelf brackets 80. The cross-sectional
appearance of an upright 73 is illustrated in FIG.7. The included
angle within which the upright edges 75 of the panels 74 are placed
must be less than 90 degrees in order to retain panels 74 in proper
position. Upright 73, therefore, has side 83 and side 84 which form
an angle of 108 degrees or slightly less. Center section 85, formed
of a fold of the metal, bisects the angle between sides 83 and
84.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in different
forms, the drawings and the specification illustrate preferred
embodiments of the invention, with the understanding that the
present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the
principles of the invention, and the disclosure is not intended to
limit the invention to the particular embodiments described.
* * * * *